MRA Maverick 308 20”for targets and hunting??

[u/RepresentativeBuy850]

Hey guys. Slowly building up the collection here and looking for some opinions.

Just to recap, I have a .303 British and a .410 that I inherited from my grandfather. Both work like a charm. No scope on the .303, but I absolutely love shooting the thing. The bolt action is ridiculously satisfying and it’s surprisingly accurate for an old rifle with irons.
I just picked up a Ruger 10/22 for some scoped shooting and partridge hunting in the winter, alongside the .410.

Technically, I could also hunt moose with the .303 since my grandfather used it for moose and black bear back in the day.
Now I’m looking for something a little more tacticool that I can also justify as a hunting rifle — preferably something I could use for moose if we ever actually manage to draw a tag in our WMU…
So I’m looking at the MRA Maverick .308 with the 20” barrel…
Would you guys actually consider the Maverick a legitimate hunting rifle that also happens to scratch the tacticool itch, or am I just finding an excuse to justify a $2K gun? 😂
For anyone who maybe hunts with one, what does your setup look like? Scope, stock, barrel, etc.
Trying to figure out if this is a “good practical option” or a “Screw it, I just want one”🫣

[u/Q-Ball7]

Just buy a Benelli R1. It's cheaper, it's lighter, it's semi-automatic, you can take it down without tools.

If you need it to be more tactical, you can put the M4 collapsing stock on it.

[u/RepresentativeBuy850 → u/Q-Ball7]

Am i not shopping at the right place? Binelli R1 is about 1995 plus tax alone plus another how much for the stock..? Plus a sight

[u/Q-Ball7 → u/RepresentativeBuy850]

You're going to have to pay for a sight for the Maverick anyway and you can buy the stock later.

If you don't like that, buy used; you can usually find them in .308 from 1500-1700.

The Maverick, at 1800, is just way too expensive for what it offers. It would be compelling at 1000, like the BCL guns were, but it's not.

[u/Iokua_CDN → u/Q-Ball7]

Good point about the BCL guns. Tactical  308 for like 900 bucks, it's OK if it's not 1moa.  1800 for a Maverick and you likely will be disappointed.

Seems like there is definitely a hole in the market for 1k tactical 308s.  Most are 1500 and up, CZ trail is only in mini action. Unless you buy a cheap bolt action and a cheap chassis, there ain't much for 1k

[u/Q-Ball7 → u/Iokua_CDN]

The only real issue with the BCL guns is that they're 2-3 pounds heavier than they should be.

It's unfortunate they're out of production now. It's still a lot of gun for 1000 bucks- the thing's basically a Ruger American Ranch, but came with a TriggerTech R700 trigger and a proper chassis that takes AR-10 mags. (I have seen evidence that they are capable of 1 MOA as well.)

there is definitely a hole in the market for 1k tactical 308s. Most are 1500 and up

Problem is that once you go over 1500 (including "just put an Axis in a chassis"), you're now competing with good semi-autos, which are far and away the better option for hunting and "tactical" shooting. And those will still run out of effective cartridge power before they realistically run out of mechanical accuracy.

All markets are missing the middle these days; rifles are apparently not different.

[u/Iokua_CDN → u/Q-Ball7]

I'm thinking an MDT ORYX and Savage axis could almost do it.

Savage Axis for 500 with a really good deal (realistically 600)

+

Mdt Oryx for 600 (or better yet, wait for black friday to bring it down further)

You get a deal on one or the other, and you can get it to 1k!

Good point on the BCL weight, I remember reading the stats on em and being shocked they are so heavy...

[u/-FingerOnTheTrigger- → u/Q-Ball7]

The m4 stock fits on it?

[u/Q-Ball7 → u/-FingerOnTheTrigger-]

Yep, with a bit of fitting.

The Benelli R1 is to the M4 as the Remington 740 is to the 1100.

[u/s0viet_mini]

I had the same idea for one. Problems are that it is too heavy in my opinion to lug around the woods, and follow up shots are unintuitive with the bolt handle position. You’ve gotta break your grip and reach pretty far to get that next round in

Sold it and I bought a Beretta BRX1

[u/swift_gilford]

Would you guys actually consider the Maverick a legitimate hunting rifle

yes.

that also happens to scratch the tacticool itch,

no

or am I just finding an excuse to justify a $2K gun?

yes

The MRA renegades and mavericks are really well designed and i like them. But at the end of the day they are copium rifles and imo only worth it if you have a current safe queen AR or AR parts lying around collecting dust. I wouldn't buy one fully assembled.

$2000.00 can get you a lot of rifle. Personally if it the primary purpose is hunting, i'd say just pick up a Tikka T3x and use the rest of the budget for an upgraded optic. This could also scratch your tactical itch because if you pick up a 20" T3x CTR, that is still light enough to carry hutning (provided you aren't full blown mountain trek hunting) and you can always throw it in a chassis to get that 'tacticool' firearm.

[u/No-Today5207]

I cant comment on the firearm itself, but there is a used one at hunters headquarters Canada for $1500. Appears to be in great condition

[u/Top_Importance6216]

trust me when I say you wouldnt enjoy lugging it through the brush for hours. So depending on what kind of hunting you're looking to do, not the best option for comfort during extended travel.

its a lovely platform but pounds turn to pain.

it scratches the tacticool itch yes sorta imo its the best quality cope gun we have atm, but Id rather have a .308 lupo or something similar/lighter for hunting.

oh also its a pain in the ass to properly to chamber a round quietly with the spring assisted bolt, if thats a concern. it likes to slam forward.

[u/PrestigiousStatus711]

You could just use the 303 to hunt. Sounds like you have you have shot it a bit and are comfortable using it. I'd choose a few others over the Maverick for hunting. I would suggest you at least consider a tikka.

[u/hafetysazard → u/PrestigiousStatus711]

I don’t think many people understand how iron sights are meant to be used, or even basic hunting scopes are meant to be used. Not really their fault, since it seems old fashioned.

Like wanting to take a target rifle in the bush seems like it would be a great idea, but the more you look into reality, or the trade-offs, it makes no sense for that.

[u/VectorBuffer]

I've been considering the Maverick in 16" for similar purposes. For me the question was mostly about : do I spend more time target shooting or hunting, and the honest answer would be range trips.

I've shot the MRA Renegade a few times at a range and had a ton of fun with it. I've yet to try the Maverick but have read similarly good things.

That being said, while not a traditional hunting rifle, the MRA's are bolt action and from what I've seen the MOA is decent enough to hunt with. Some googling/you-tubing shows me that hunting with an "AR10" or a similar platform is actually not that uncommon anymore.

I'm considering a Primary Arms SLx1-8x24 FFP with the SLx30mm Cantilever scope mount and a Bipod from either MDT or Magpul.

As for barrel length - it probably depends on what range you think you'd hunt. The 16" would be plenty for me (Not much open ground around where I am). At maybe 200yrds I think the muzzle velocity would be decent enough with a proper .308 hunting round. If you're thinking most your time would be at the range, think about the cost of brass as well, .308 adds up quickly.

Another consideration is obviously weight - you're not going to compete with a more traditional setup there. Depends again if you're hiking the whole day or spend your time in a stand.

[u/Iokua_CDN]

Benelli R1 or Browning Bar are around  2k

Winchestor 100 or Citadel/Adler Ad500 for 1k-1.1k for a cheaper option. Just something to think about.

Or you can do a 700 dollar Howa 1500 and throw it in a tactical stock like an MDT for 500 bucks (or less on black friday)

BCL has 308 tactical bolt actions  for like 900 bucks too.

Or oddly enough, a Savage Axis mdt for like 1400. Fixes the worse part of the Axis, the magazine.

Lots of options, but none of them are straight pull. So  definitely think if bolt action is good enough or if you want more 

[u/hafetysazard]

If your actual goal is hunting moose, or deer, you don’t need any of that. Your .303 is probably perfectly suited for that job.

If you want a target rifle, get a target rifle.

[u/RepresentativeBuy850 → u/hafetysazard]

I mean fair enough

[u/hafetysazard → u/RepresentativeBuy850]

I had the same thought. I wanted a target rifle that I could use for hunting but quickly realized it is simply too heavy, so rather than trying to find a good hunting bullet for dual purpose, one ammo, sort of deal, I just settled on target bullets, and decided to get something else for hunting.

[u/RepresentativeBuy850 → u/hafetysazard]

What’s your target shooting gun ?

[u/hafetysazard → u/RepresentativeBuy850]

FN SPR

[u/DashCameraman]

A 20" .308 is definitely an effective hunting rifle. I almost bought one but decided my general purpose hunting rifle should be something with more social camouflage and less likely to get banned